Apple Acquires Interactive 3D Software- No More Google Earth?

Apple has made many moves in recent years towards developing their own Google Earth-like software. Their latest move has been to snatch up interactive 3D software from Canadian company Poly9. The software, seen in the image above, is a cross-browser, cross-platform 3D globe that doesn’t require a download.

You can check out the technology here. There are also a number of sites and companies currently using the interactive 3D globe software for various applications including Skype and social gaming network application Geocade for iPhone and Android.

This isn’t the first move that Apple has made towards developing their own Google Earth like software. Earlier last year Apple bought mapping service firm Placebase. With this mapping service in combination with the interactive 3D, cross-platform globe from Poly9, Apple is well on their way to developing a native maps app that will, hopefully, rival Google Maps and Google Earth on iDevices.